Les Houches is the stronger all-round pick here. It offers better snowfall than Chamrousse. That said, Chamrousse is no slouch, and beginners may prefer what it offers. For most holiday skiers, Les Houches delivers more mountain for your trip.
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger result for each metric. Numbers are measurements — compare them directly.
| Les Houches | Chamrousse | |
|---|---|---|
Vertical Drop Height from top to bottom — more is a longer, bigger mountain feeling | 905m (2,969ft) | 800m (2,625ft) |
Summit Elevation How high the mountain reaches — higher tends to mean colder, drier snow | 1,900m (6,234ft) | 2,250m (7,382ft) |
Base Elevation Height of the base village — affects snow quality at the bottom of the mountain | 995m (3,264ft) | 1,450m (4,757ft) |
Annual Snowfall Average natural snowfall per season — more means better powder odds | 762cm (300in) | 600cm (236in) |
Trail Count Total marked runs — more variety over a week-long trip | 28 | 44 |
Lift Count Total lifts — more lifts typically means shorter queues and better mountain access | 14 | 17 |
Resort Size Marked piste length across the lift-linked area | 55 km of pistes | 90 km of pistes |
Beginner Terrain Percentage of trails rated beginner — higher means more options for new skiers | 30% | 25% |
Intermediate Terrain Percentage of trails rated intermediate — the core terrain for most holiday skiers | 45% | 50% |
Advanced Terrain Percentage of trails rated advanced or expert — higher means more challenge | 25% | 25% |
How you actually reach each resort. Times are the whole airport-to-base journey by the realistic route (drive, or rail where that is the practical option).
| Les Houches | Chamrousse | |
|---|---|---|
Access tier Overall ease of reaching the resort | easy | moderate |
Trip shape Whether one flight gets you within a ground leg, or a connection to a regional airport is required | One flight in | One flight in |
Closest airport Nearest airport and the whole journey time to the base | Geneva (GVA), 1h 20m | Chambéry (CMF), 1h 35m |
Other airports Alternative gateways, including a bigger hub where one is in range | Lyon (LYS) 2h 7m, Chambéry (CMF) 1h 30m | Lyon (LYS) 1h 49m, Geneva (GVA) 2h 31m |
Les Houches edges ahead in more categories, though the gap is close. Both are excellent resorts.
Both resorts have comparable vertical drop, so you'll get a similar length run at either mountain.
Les Houches gets a bit more snow on average, giving it a slight edge for powder days.
Les Houches has a slight edge in beginner-friendly terrain, with a bit more dedicated green-run acreage.
Chamrousse is noticeably larger, with more trails to explore over a multi-day trip.
Chamrousse's higher base elevation helps snow stay cold and dry longer, giving better conditions through the day and into spring.
Les Houches is easier to reach: one flight to Geneva (GVA), then about 1h 20m to the base. Chamrousse means one flight to Chambéry (CMF), then about 1h 35m to the base.
Les Houches has more beginner-friendly terrain and is a lower-pressure environment for new skiers.
Les Houches wins on the stats that matter most for experienced skiers: more mountain to explore over a full week.
Les Houches gets more snow annually, giving better odds of fresh powder and better conditions into late season.
Les Houches is the better pick for beginners. It dedicates more of its mountain to green runs and easy terrain, which means less time hunting for appropriate slopes and more time building confidence.
Les Houches gets more snow on average. That translates to better powder days, longer seasons, and more reliable conditions throughout January and February.
Chamrousse is the larger mountain by trail count (Les Houches: 28 trails, Chamrousse: 44 trails). On a week-long trip, a bigger mountain means more variety and a lower chance of feeling like you've exhausted the terrain.
Both resorts offer a similar proportion of advanced terrain (Les Houches: 25%, Chamrousse: 25%). Expert skiers should look beyond percentages at the quality of the black runs, off-piste access, and whether there's lift-accessed backcountry terrain.
Les Houches is generally the better family resort based on its terrain mix. More beginner-friendly slopes means children and less experienced parents have plenty of room to ski without feeling pushed beyond their comfort zone. That said, both resorts have established ski schools, so check current program reviews before booking.
Other matchups featuring these resorts and their regional peers.